EX-PAT Alan Bertwistle is counting his lucky stars after one of this century's worst hurricane, Floyd skimmed his Florida home with its centre just a few miles away.

Alan - who lived in Preston for 38 years before moving to Fellsmere in 1995 - was told to baton down the hatches and hurriedly prepare for the hurricane, which hit the east coast of Florida on Wednesday, and was just 10 miles from his home.

The path of the hurricane - the most powerful to hit the state in 200 years - could not be predicted by weather experts and residents and holidaymakers feared the worst as they watched television pictures of the ferocious winds battering the Bahamas.

Alan told the Citizen that although his home endured strong winds and suffered minor damage the feared devastation has not happened - so far.

He said: "We were told to board up vulnerable windows, bring loose objects inside, trim weak branches and stock up on drinking water and non-perishable food.

"Fortunately the procedures here are well established and tested. Evacuation took place nearer to the coast and in low-lying areas.

"We live about 10 miles from the coast so we knew we were in danger, but not in as much danger as those nearer to the water."

Flights in and out of Florida have been suspended, while the area's major tourist attractions, including Disney World, closed as the entire state braced itself for gusts of up to 120 miles per hour. Alan's friends in Preston e-mailed him throughout Tuesday night, wishing him the best.

Alan, who still follows Preston North End FC via the internet, added: "We took a bit of a hammering during the night but the danger seems to have passed. We seem to have got off lightly. People about 10 miles down the road took a bigger hit, but we've not heard of any casualties. It is a big relief.

"We were very touched that so many people sent us good wishes. We just hope the people in Carolina don't suffer too badly."

There are now concerns the hurricane may hit land in Carolina, causing devastation and destruction on a level never previously seen before in America. The hurricane is said to be three times stronger than Hurricane Andrew, which wrecked Florida in 1992, killing 40 people and causing $25 billion damage.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.